While there’s a lot to love about the RV lifestyle, you should learn to expect the unexpected. That’s why so many RVers opt for a service like Good Sam Roadside Assistance. But if you’re camping or traveling in the middle of nowhere when an emergency happens, having a few RV emergency items on hand can make all the difference. So we’re sharing our favorite tools, gadgets, and emergency essentials for RV owners to be prepared and stay safe.
18 Emergency Essentials for RV Owners
1. Flares and Warning Triangles
Whether you’re dealing with a tire blowout or any other mechanical issue, we recommend putting out flares at night or warning triangles during the day. This is especially true if you’re going to be stuck on the side of the road for an extended period. It’s the best way to signal your presence to other traffic so they move over and give you plenty of room to work on your RV or wait for help.
2. RV Tire Repair Kit
Whether your RV has a full-size spare tire or just a donut, a repair kit with a non-combustible tire sealant should always be part of your RV emergency preparedness kit. Most tire repair kits can repair punctures up to 1/4″ in size and won’t cause rust or corrosion on any type of rim. Don’t be left with a flat tire.
3. Portable Air Compressor
A portable air compressor is the best solution for inflating RV tires when you can’t make it to a gas station or another facility with a compressor. There are many designs out there. Some are made for smaller tires, such as those on bikes, carts, and small utility trailers.
Others are made for larger tires on your RV, travel trailer, or truck. Most are powered by a 12-volt lighter adapter or a rechargeable battery. Your best case is to have both options to make sure you can power the compressor if you forget to charge its batteries.
4. Tow Straps
Even if you don’t plan on doing any off-roading and your RV isn’t capable of towing another vehicle, having tow straps onboard is a good safety precaution. If you find yourself stuck and a willing bystander has a vehicle that can pull you out safely, tow straps are the essential emergency link between your RV and your knight in shining armor.
5. Spare Tire
Many RVs come with a spare tire, but it’s not a given. Plus, you should check whether your camper is equipped with a full-sized spare or just a donut. A donut will get you back on the road in a pinch, but your speed will be limited, and you shouldn’t drive very far. Upgrade to a full-sized spare to avoid limping down the highway until you get to the nearest Camping World service center.
6. Jumper Cables
No matter how diligent you are about turning off lights and appliances when you’re done using them, dead batteries happen from time to time. When they do, they shouldn’t stop you from continuing your journey. And if you have a set of jumper cables handy, you’ll just need a willing campground helper to give you a jump and get you rolling once again.
7. Backup Fuel Canister
This RV emergency essential is especially important if you’re heading to more remote boondocking campsites. But it’s always a good idea to have a few extra gallons of fuel stored safely in your RV. You never know when that next gas stop is a little further than you expected. Even if you make it there when you’re running on fumes, knowing you have backup fuel will make those last few miles much less stressful.
8. Traction Boards
Assembling a proper RV emergency preparedness kit is largely an exercise in embracing self-reliance. So if you want to take the chance on navigating roadways with deep sand, thick mud, or any other less-than-ideal surface, bring a winch or set of traction boards along to help you self-rescue if you start to get stuck.
9. Tire Pressure Gauge (or TPMS)
One of the leading causes of tire blowouts is over or under-inflated tires. Checking the pressure in your RV tires regularly is essential to avoid emergencies in the first place. Or, you can install a comprehensive tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that easily allows you to monitor tire pressure right from your RV’s captain’s chair. Even with a tire gauge in your kit, consider enrolling in a Good Sam Tire and Wheel Protection plan for auto and RV coverage.
10. Fire Extinguisher
An out-of-control fire is quite possibly the scariest thing that could happen to you when adventuring in your RV. While following our tips for fire safety for RV travelers will help you RV safely, you should have an up-to-date fire extinguisher stored somewhere that’s easily accessible in your RV at all times.
11. First Aid Kit
One thing I enjoyed most about camping as a kid was getting my hands dirty, and sometimes my entire body. But the freedom of camping and the adventure of outdoor recreation can come with their fair share of cuts, scrapes, bumps, and bruises. So, a well-stocked first aid kit is an often out-of-sight emergency essential for RV owners. Trust me, you’ll want it when you need to patch up superficial wounds so you can get back to playing as quickly as possible.
12. Portable Power Station and Generator
Many campers keep multiple batteries to supply power to critical appliances when they aren’t plugged into shore power. However, wall outlets typically require AC power instead of the DC power that those batteries provide. So, a portable power station is a great RV emergency essential to help you keep things like phones, laptops, and tablets charged up so you can stay connected on the road.
13. GPS for RV Navigation
Smooth navigation is a big part of any successful RV adventure. Whether it’s avoiding roadways with traffic jams, bridges with low clearance, or simply finding out which way is north, having a compass or handheld GPS in your RV is essential. You never know when your knowledge of the cardinal directions will be tested.
14. Water Purification System
In the survival world, it’s commonly believed that you can last up to three days without water, compared to up to three weeks without food. Now, we hope you never encounter a survival situation when RVing, but we are talking about emergency preparedness after all. Having a way to purify water from nature can not only save your life but can also extend your camping trips if you head to remote areas and need more water than your motorhome will carry.
15. Emergency Meals
Most of us like to cook over the campfire on RV trips. Once again, however, be prepared for the worst if you’re going to expect—and enjoy—the best. So it’s never a bad idea to stock a selection of dehydrated meals or things like Ramen noodles that simply require you to boil water. They might not be what you want to eat on a nightly basis, but they’ll be much-appreciated calories in an emergency.
16. Multi-Tool
Having a multi-tool in your RV is essential for not only emergency situations, but everything from harmless activities like opening a wine bottle to repairing a critical component on your RV awning. These tools usually include screwdrivers, knives, corkscrews, bottle/can openers, pliers, and an assortment of additional tools that will help you remedy a wide array of emergencies.
17. Jump Starter
While jumper cables come in handy as long as you have another vehicle around to help you out, a jump starter takes things up another level. It increases your self-reliance by allowing you to jump-start your RV without the need for external help. It’s a great emergency tool for boondockers and full-time RVers who don’t always stay in campgrounds with plenty of other people around.
18. Hand Crank Flashlight
Most flashlights and lanterns run on AA or AAA batteries. Headlamps and flashlights with rechargeable batteries are becoming more and more popular, but they are only good as long as they remain charged. In an emergency, it pays to have a flashlight that can be cranked to provide much-needed light on the situation. When all other power sources fail, you’ll still be able to see to make critical decisions in case of an emergency.
A Final Note on RV Emergency Preparedness Essentials
When purchasing emergency tools for your RV, consider your coach’s space and weight limitations. Overpacking your RV and exceeding its weight ratings is a surefire way to increase your risk of having an emergency.
Luckily, this list will help you get prepared for any repairs needed while traveling. And if you get in a little over your head, there’s always a local Camping World nearby to help you repair your RV and get back on the road.
Are there any RV emergency preparedness essentials that we didn’t include? Let us know what you never leave home without in the comments below!
